Apparatus for consuming liquids

ABSTRACT

An application for a drinking vessel has one or more deflectors positioned along the top rim area of the vessel, just far enough below the rim such that liquid from the vessel passes around the deflectors and into a user&#39;s lips when drinking and ice or other solid materials in the liquid is blocked by the deflector, keeping the solid materials away from the user&#39;s lips.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of drinking liquids and more particularly to an apparatus for drinking liquids, the liquids containing ice.

BACKGROUND

There are many devices for drinking liquids such as bottles, cups, mugs, tumblers, glasses, etc. Even wooden box-shaped containers are used to drink sake in Japan. The present set of drinking vessels is adequate for liquids alone, but when solid objects such as ice, olives, etc, are introduced into the liquid, it is difficult to drink the liquid without the solid object hitting your lips and, sometimes, finding its way into your mouth when you are not prepared for acceptance of the solid object.

This problem has been recognized in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,198,059 to Conrad Pistorius from 1940 proposes a strainer-like attachment to a cup or glass to prevent ice from within the glass from hitting the user's lips and teeth. This device is added onto the glass.

What is needed is a device that will reduce a user's exposure to ice or other solid objects while drinking from a drinking vessel such as a glass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a drinking vessel with one or more deflectors positioned along the top rim area of the vessel, just far enough below the rim such that liquid from the vessel passes around the deflectors and into a user's lips when drinking and ice or other solid materials in the liquid is blocked by the deflector, keeping the solid materials away from the user's lips.

In one embodiment, a device for consuming liquids is disclosed including a drinking vessel having a bottom connected to a side wall and a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom. There is one or more deflectors on an inside surface of the side walls. The deflectors are positioned at a depth below the rim and face inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking from the drinking vessel.

In another embodiment, a method of consuming a liquid, having solid materials suspended within the liquid is disclosed including providing a device for consuming the liquid that is a drinking vessel with a bottom connected to a side wall, and having a rim located on an edge of the side wall located distal from the bottom. One or more deflectors are positioned on an inside surface of the side walls. The deflectors are at a depth below the rim and face inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking the liquid from the drinking vessel. The method includes filling the drinking vessel with the liquid and solid materials and positioning the rim against one's lips, one of the deflectors is aligned with the lips. The drinking vessel is tilted until the liquid flows into the lips for consumption, whereby the solid materials are blocked from reaching the lips by the one of the deflectors.

In another embodiment, device for consuming liquids is disclosed including a mechanism for holding a liquid including a bottom connected to a side wall. A rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom. Within the mechanism is/are a device/devices for deflecting solids floating in the liquid. The device(s) for deflecting solids is/are positioned on an inside surface of the side walls at a depth below the rim and face inward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drinking vessel of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a second drinking vessel of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple deflectors.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple deflectors.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple types of deflectors.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a fourth drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple of deflectors.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the fourth drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple of deflectors stacked together.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a drinking vessel of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a drinking vessel 10 a of the present invention is shown. In this, a tumbler like drinking vessel 10 a is shown having a base 14 a, tubular side wall 12 a and a rim 16 a. In normal use, the tumbler 10 a is filled with a liquid 20 (see FIG. 9) and the rim 16 a is brought to a user's lips 22 (see FIG. 9) and the tumbler 10 a is tilted until the liquid 20 in the tumbler 10 a reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20 through their lips 22.

The tumbler 10 a of the present invention includes a deflector 18 a for deflecting solid materials 21 (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see FIG. 9) when such solid materials 21 are present in the liquid 20. To use the tumbler 10 a that is filled with a liquid 20 having solid materials 21, the rim 16 a is brought to a user's lips 22 in the local of the deflector 18 a and the tumbler 10 a is tilted until the liquid 20 in the tumbler 10 a reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20. The solid materials 21 in the liquid 20 are pushed to the sides of the deflector 18 a to reduce contact with the user's lips 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a second drinking vessel 10 c of the present invention is shown. In this, a glass 10 c is shown having a base 14 c, tubular side wall 12 c and a rim 16 c. In normal use, the glass 10 c is filled with a liquid 20 (see FIG. 9) and the rim 16 c is brought to a user's lips 22 (see FIG. 9) and the glass 10 c is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 c reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20 through their lips 22.

The glass 10 c of the present invention includes a deflector 18 c for deflecting solid materials 21 (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see FIG. 9) when such solid materials 21 are present in the liquid 20. To use the glass 10 c that is filled with a liquid 20 having solid materials 21, the rim 16 c is brought to a user's lips 22 in the local of the deflector 18 c and the glass 10 c is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 c reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20. The solid materials 21 in the liquid 20 are pushed to the sides of the deflector 18 c to reduce contact with the user's lips 22.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a third drinking vessel 10 b of the present invention is shown. In this, a mug 10 b or cup 10 b is shown having a tubular side wall 12 b and a rim 16 b. In normal use, the mug 10 b is filled with a liquid 20 (see FIG. 9) and the rim 16 b is brought to a user's lips 22 (see FIG. 9) and the mug 10 b is tilted until the liquid 20 in the mug 10 b reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20 through their lips 22.

The mug 10 b of the present invention includes a deflector 18 b for deflecting solid materials 21 (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see FIG. 9) when such solid materials 21 are present in the liquid 20. To use the mug 10 b that is filled with a liquid 20 having solid materials 21, the rim 16 b is brought to a user's lips 22 in the local of the deflector 18 b and the mug 10 b is tilted until the liquid 20 in the mug 10 b reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20. The solid materials 21 in the liquid 20 are pushed to the sides of the deflector 18 b to reduce contact with the user's lips 22.

Although the above examples show three specific types of drinking vessels 10 a/b/c, any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, tea cups, coffee mugs, thermos bottles, mason jars, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, perspective views of a third drinking vessel 10 d of the present invention with multiple deflectors is shown. In this, a glass 10 d is shown having a base 14 d, tubular side wall 12 d and a rim 16 d. In normal use, the glass 10 d is filled with a liquid 20 (see FIG. 9) and the rim 16 d is brought to a user's lips 22 (see FIG. 9) and the glass 10 d is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 d reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20 through their lips 22.

The glass 10 d of the present invention includes multiple deflectors 18 d for deflecting solid materials 21 (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see FIG. 9) when such solid materials 21 are present in the liquid 20. Although three deflectors 18 d are shown, any number of deflectors 18 d is anticipated. To use the glass 10 d that is filled with a liquid 20 having solid materials 21, the rim 16 d is brought to a user's lips 22 in the local of any of the deflectors 18 d and the glass 10 d is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 d reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20. The solid materials 21 in the liquid 20 are pushed to the sides of the selected deflector 18 d to reduce contact with the user's lips 22.

In some embodiments, all deflectors 18 d are recessed to the same depth from the rim 16 d, while on other embodiments, some deflectors 18 d are recessed to a different depth than other deflectors 18 d, accommodating users with different physical mouth/lip 22 features.

Although shown with a glass 10 d type drinking vessel, any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, tea cups, coffee mugs, thermos bottles, mason jars, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc.

Referring to FIG. 6, a top perspective view of a third drinking vessel 10 e of the present invention with multiple types of deflectors is shown. In this, a glass 10 e is shown from the top rim 16 e. As with the other vessels/glasses, in normal use, the glass 10 e is filled with a liquid 20 (see FIG. 9) and the rim 16 e is brought to a user's lips 22 (see FIG. 9) and the glass 10 e is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 e reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20 through their lips 22.

The glass 10 e of the present invention includes multiple deflectors 18 e/f/g for deflecting solid materials 21 (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see FIG. 9) when such solid materials 21 are present in the liquid 20. Although three deflectors 18 e/f/g are shown, any number of deflectors 18 e/f/g is anticipated. To use the glass 10 e that is filled with a liquid 20 having solid materials 21, the rim 16 e is brought to a user's lips 22 in the local of any of the deflectors 18 e and the glass 10 e is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 d reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20. The solid materials 21 in the liquid 20 are pushed to the sides of the selected deflector 18 e/f/g to reduce contact with the user's lips 22.

In some embodiments, all deflectors 18 e/f/g are recessed to the same depth from the rim 16 d, while on other embodiments, some deflectors 18 e/f/g are recessed to a different depth than other deflectors 18 e/f/g, accommodating users with different physical mouth/lip 22 features. Three different shapes of deflectors 18 e/f/g are shown, an arc-shaped deflector 18 e, a pyramid-shaped deflector 18 f and a decorative-shaped deflector 18 g. Many different shapes are anticipated and it is anticipated that in some embodiments, all of the deflectors 18 of a particular vessel 10 will have the same shaped deflectors 18 while in other embodiments, the deflectors 18 of a particular vessel 10 will have different shaped deflectors 18, in any combination.

Although shown as a glass 10 e type drinking vessel, any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, tea cups, coffee mugs, thermos bottles, mason jars, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, perspective views of a fourth drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple of deflectors 16 h is shown. For certain vessels 10, it is desired to stack the vessels 10, one inside the other such as a stack of tumblers or a stack of paper cups. When such is desired, the deflectors 16 as shown in the prior examples would limit or impede one vessel 10 from fitting well inside of another like vessel 10.

The vessels 10 h of FIGS. 7 and 8 have deflectors 16 h that are formed at the end of slits 17 h. The slits 17 h are indentations formed in the side of the vessel 10 h, preferably during the molding process. As shown in FIG. 8, the deflector 16 h of the outer vessel 10 h aligns and fits within the slits 17 h of the inner vessel 10 h up until the deflector 16 h of the outer vessel 10 h rests against the deflector 16 h of the inner vessel 10 h, thereby permitting stacking of the vessels/tumblers 16 h.

Although shown with a tumbler 10 h type drinking vessel, any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc. It is acknowledged that it is not practical to stack drinking vessels that have handles.

Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view of a drinking vessel of the present invention in use will be described. As with the other vessels/glasses, in normal use, the glass 10 is filled with a liquid 20 and the rim 16 is brought to a user's lips 22 and the glass 10 is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20 through their lips 22.

The glass 10 of the present invention includes at least one deflectors 18 for deflecting solid materials 21 (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc) when such solid materials 21 are present in the liquid 20. When the rim 16 is brought to a user's lips 22 in the local of any of the deflectors 18 and the glass 10 is tilted until the liquid 20 in the glass 10 reaches the user's lips 22 and the user sips the liquid 20, the solid materials 21 in the liquid 20 are pushed to the sides of the deflector 18 to reduce contact with the user's lips 22.

The deflectors 18 are positioned at a depth below the rim 16 creating a gap between the deflector 18 and the user's lips 22 such that the liquid 20 passes around the deflector 18 and into the user's lips 22 while blocking the solid materials 21 from reaching the user's lips. Although a range of gaps from ¼ inch to 1½ inch is anticipated, a ¾ inch gap works for most users. In such, a typical user's lips overlap the rim by approximately ½ inch, leaving ¼ inch of gap between the user's lips 22 and the deflector 18 for the liquid 20 to flow.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

1. A device for consuming liquids, the device comprising: a drinking vessel, the drinking vessel having a bottom connected to a side wall, a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom; and one or more deflectors on an inside surface of the side walls, the deflectors positioned at a depth below the rim, the deflectors facing inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking from the drinking vessel.
 2. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein the depth is ¾ of an inch.
 3. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein the deflector is of pyramid-like shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim.
 4. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein the deflector is of arc-like shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim.
 5. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein the deflector is of decorative shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim.
 6. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein the deflector is formed of a slit, the slit formed in the side wall, the slit starting at the bottom and continuing along the side to the deflector.
 7. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein there is exactly one deflector.
 8. A method of consuming a liquid, solid materials suspended within the liquid, the method comprising: providing a device for consuming liquids, the device comprising: a drinking vessel, the drinking vessel having a bottom connected to a side wall, a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom; one or more deflectors on an inside surface of the side walls, the deflectors positioned at a depth below the rim, the deflectors facing inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking from the drinking vessel; filling the drinking vessel with the liquid and solid materials; positioning the rim against one's lips, one of the deflectors aligned with the lips; and tilting the drinking vessel until the liquid flows into the lips for consumption, whereby the solid materials are blocked from reaching the lips by the one of the deflectors.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the depth is ¾ of an inch.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the solid materials are ice cubes.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the solid materials are olives.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the deflector is formed of a slit, the slit formed in the side wall, the slit starting at the bottom and continuing along the side to the deflector.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein there is exactly one deflector.
 14. A device for consuming liquids, the device comprising: a means for holding a liquid, the means for holding a liquid comprising a bottom connected to a side wall, a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom; and a means for deflecting solids floating in the liquid, the means for deflecting solids on an inside surface of the side walls, the means for deflecting solids positioned at a depth below the rim, the means for deflecting solids facing inward.
 15. The device for consuming liquids of claim 14, wherein the depth below the rim is ¾ of an inch.
 16. The device for consuming liquids of claim 14, wherein the means for deflecting solids is of pyramid-like shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim.
 17. The device for consuming liquids of claim 14, wherein the means for deflecting solids includes a slit means, the slit means formed in the side wall, the slit means starting at the bottom and continuing along the side.
 18. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein means for deflecting solids comprises on deflector.
 19. The device for consuming liquids of claim 1, wherein means for deflecting solids comprises three deflectors. 